Trace carrier



June 14,1927. ,632,368

5. J. COLTON TRACE CARRIER Filed Sept. 15, 1926 Z Inventor JJ 6*0Z Z0 72,

Attorney Patented June 14, 1927.

STANLEY J. COLTOIN', OF IBINFORD, NORTH DAKOTA.

TRACE CARRIER.

Application filed September 15, 1926.

This invention relates to an improved trace carrier; that is, a small contrivance to hold the ends or tugs upon the back of the horse temporarily when not in use to keep the same from dragging on the ground.

The invention has more particular reference to an exceptionally simple and inexpensive article of manufacture, somewhat in the form of a buckle adapted to be associated with a breeching strap on a breeching harness.

The particular details of construction, and advantages derived from their use will be come apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a conventional form of harness showing the device applied to the breeching strap.

Fig. 2 is a view of a fragmentary portion of said strap showing the invention more in detail and more particularly how it is ap' plied.

Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2-.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a strap constituting a part of a conventional form of harness, which strap passes around the back of the legs of the animal. The breeching straps which are associated therewith are designated by the reference characters 2 and 3. The reference character 4 designates a portion of one of the straps of a trace which includes the customary chain 5 and the cockeye or ring It is this trace with which the invention, generally designated by the reference character 7, is associated.

The invention comprises a metal body 8 having its opposite ends bent to form hooks 9 and 101 It will be noticed that the curvature of the bill of the hook 10 is somewhat pronounced to facilitate connection of the cockeye 6. At the juncture of the body portion and the base portions of the hooks 9 and 10, are transverse slots 11 of a size to permit free passage of the breeching strap 9., which passes through them and against the inner side of the body 8 as represented in Figs. 2 and 3.

A stud 12 is provided and extends through an opening in the breech strap to prevent Serial No. 135,620.

slippage of the device on said strap. Attached at one end to the hook 9 is a spring latch 13 which extends down and cooperates with the bill of the hook 10. It will be noticed, however, that the extremity of this latch is curved as at 14 and extends beyond said bill and forms a seat for the ring 6 when it is disengaged.

In practice the device is placed upon the lazy strap or the breeching strap as shown in Fig. 1, the stud 12 being passed through the opening in said strap to hold the device in set position. The latch is disposed on the outside so that when the trace is not in use, the ring 6 on the free end of the chain may be snapped into the hook 10 and held by the spring latch 13. When removing the same, the ring is placed in the seat 14 and pushed inwardly, thus providing clearance between the latch and the bill of the hook and facilitating disengagement.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a simple and inexpensive contrivance which may be applied to a conventional harness structure without requiring alterations of the latter, and the same serving as a temporary hanger for the trace so that it will not drag on the ground when it 1s not in use. The particular formation of the respective details of the device make it compact and convenient and highly efficient in action.

It is believed that a clear understanding of the invention and the construction and its advantages will be had from the foregoing. Consequently, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically described and shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that minor changes in shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to so long as no departure is made from the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is As a new product of manufacture, a trace carrier comprising'a single body having its opposite ends bent into hooked formation, the bills of the hooks being disposed somewhat in the same plane, one hook forming a keeper for a trace cockeye, the body being hooks and extending downwardly beyond formed at its points of connection With the the bill of said keeper hook, the extending hooks with slots for passage of a carrying portion being curved longitudinally to form strap, being also provided With a central a seat for reception of said cockeye to facili' angular-1y disposed stud for passage through tate disconnection of the latter.

an opening in said strap, a spring latch con- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. nected to the free endport-ion of one of the STANLEY J. COLTON. 

